The Jordan Peterson Effect

A new generation of celebrity gurus has arrived. The clinical
psychologist Jordan Peterson, the historian Yuval Noah Harari and
the comedian Russell Brand are three prominent examples. They
command podcast downloads that run into six figures, their books
are at the top of amazon rankings, they stir up controversy. In
this Science Set Free podcast, Rupert Sheldrake and Mark Vernon
ask what their appeal means, what can be made of their various
messages, and what this might mean for non-materialist
worldviews. Rupert has himself talked with Russell Brand on Under
The Skin and he reflects on the experience. Their discussion also
ranges over why Jordan Peterson provokes conflict, why Harari’s
bleak story of humanity sells, and why Russell Brand is today one
of the most visible promoters of spiritual reality.